Meadowbank revamp would run up £40m bill

Published on Tuesday 9 October 2007 11:59

REVAMPING Meadowbank Stadium to modern-day standards would cost almost £40 million, it emerged today.

The detailed study was prepared for the council in the wake of claims by Save Meadowbank Campaigners that the facilities could be brought up to scratch for as little as 18m.

City chiefs today said the new study showed that a complete refurbishment Meadowbank without selling off any land for housing was a "non-starter".

Consultants Gleeds found that a new velodrome on its own would cost 11m, a new sports centre 13.8m, and a new grandstand 12.6m. The remaining costs would be made up by other improvements said to be necessary at the site, including improvements to the running track, scoreboard, artificial pitches and fixtures and fittings around the arena.

It comes ahead of a major new report, expected to be published within the next few weeks, which will look at examining different options for the Meadowbank site, including selling off various portions for housing.

City planning leader Jim Lowrie said today:

"It's a non-starter for us to try to find almost 40m for a refurbishment and it's unrealistic to suggest that it can be done.

"If we were to sell off something like a third of the existing site we may be able to raise enough money for a replacement running track, a smaller spectator stand and new indoor facilities. We have to try to raise the money somehow."

The report by Gleeds was based on improving the existing facilities and not relocating them elsewhere on the site, as has been advocated by senior Lib Dem and SNP councillors. It estimated the total cost of the revamp at 38.9m.

Plans to build the new arena in Sighthill collapsed in August when the new council administration said it wanted to concentrate on retaining major facilities in the Meadowbank area, as well as a promised revamp of the Royal Commonwealth Pool.

The council is already facing a 16m shortfall in the 36m RCP project because of the scrapping of plans for the Sighthill arena and the doubts over how much land at Meadowbank may be sold off.

The council stands to lose 7m it had secured from the then Scottish Executive for the Sighthill redevelopment as it does not have permission to spend it on a less-ambitious revamp of Meadowbank.

Kevin Connor, spokesman for the Save Meadowbank Campaign, said:

"I'm very sceptical about these figures produced by the council.

"They've been peddling the idea of selling off land at Meadowbank for more than four years now and it's time they stopped it and looked properly at what is required."